SANTA CLARA — Chip Kelly isn’t near ready to name the 49ers starting quarterback, saying Tuesday that the preseason will weigh mightily in that decision.

Through three practices, including Tuesday’s first full-pad session, neither Blaine Gabbert nor Colin Kaepernick has separated himself through on-field action, nor have they been asked to air it out in the run-oriented, fast-tempo scheme.

“Really, the big determination with those guys,” Kelly said, “is that the preseason games will be huge for those guys.”

The 49ers’ exhibition opener is Aug. 14 against the Houston Texans, who will practice with the host 49ers two days earlier. More joint practices will follow against the Denver Broncos on Aug. 17-18 before their exhibition Aug. 20 in Denver.

The third exhibition, in which starters typically get their most reps of the preseason, will be Aug. 26 at home against the Green Bay Packers, with the preseason closing Sept. 1 at the San Diego Chargers.

“It’s still so early,” wide receiver Torrey Smith said of the quarterback race. “We have to continue to make plays for both of them, and our defensive backs are doing a great job challenging everything.

“It’s going to be a long and great battle,” Smith added, “but both guys are doing well.”

Gabbert had his poorest throwing day in 11-on-11 drills, completing only 6 of 12 attempts and having three consecutive passes batted down at the line during one stretch. However, Gabbert also hit Smith for a 45-yard touchdown pass.

Kaepernick completed 7 of 11 passes in 11-on-11 action, highlighted by a 20-yard completion to DeAndrew White on a rarely seen, back-shoulder throw down the middle of the field. Kaepernick’s first pass in full-team drills was nearly intercepted by Keith Reaser.

“We’re trying to be right down the middle with the reps,” Kelly said before practice.

Neither journeyman Thad Lewis nor rookie Jeff Driskel are making an impressive push for more reps, so this, indeed, looks like a two-man race, which Kelly noted earlier this week he preferred, rather than bring in a free agent such as Nick Foles.

Kelly noted that both Gabbert and Kaepernick have been “really competitive” and “done a really nice job.” The coach also described the competition as a “learning process” among the QBs and coaches.

Unofficial stats in 11-on-11 drills show that Kaepernick has completed 22 of 31 passes with an interception, while Gabbert is 19-of-32. Both quarterbacks have also shown their mobility by scrambling once they can’t find open receivers or when protection breaks down in the pocket.

Kelly injected his dry humor while insisting his quarterbacks can audible, saying they at times have two calls on one play, perhaps switching from a run to a pass. “Sometimes I think that is a little bit of a misconception,” Kelly said of the no-audible offense.

A reporter responded that there are apparently a lot of misconceptions stemming from his former job as the Philadelphia Eagles coach. Kelly countered: “It’s OK. I’m not in the conception business. I’m just trying to play football.”

Brown has been lining up as the first-string right tackle, which is where he played the final two games of his rookie season. “I feel I’m not stepping into it blind anymore,” Brown said. “I’m comfortable and know what I’m doing.”

Anthony Davis’ first practices since 2014 have had him as the third-string right tackle, where he’s fared OK and lined up next to Joshua Garnett, a potential Week 1 pairing if all goes well for them. Erik Pears has been the second-team left tackle.

After working out in the 49ers’ offseason program for nearly six weeks, Hayne retired in May, citing a desire to play in the Rio Olympics for Fiji’s Rugby Sevens. Hayne did not make the Olympic team, however.

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